Border Patrol Rescues Two Mexican Migrants from Freezing near Canada

Swanton Sector Border Patrol agents rescued two Mexican migrants who became lost after illegally crossing into the U.S. from Canada. The migrants became lost in a swampy area where weather conditions hit 19 degrees with a wind chill.

Agents assigned to the Champlain Station came across two sets of footprints while patrolling along the international border with Canada on snowmobiles on the afternoon of January 26. The footprints indicated that two people had illegally crossed the border from Canada into northern New York near the border town of Mooers. The agents began an immediate search as weather conditions became life-threatening, according to information obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials.

Area - Immigrants - Border - Woods - Swamps

The area where the two illegal immigrants crossed the border consists of thick woods and swamps, officials stated. The agents quickly determined from the footprints that the two migrants became lost in the trees. After searching for about two hours, the agents tracked down the pair of migrants who had only made it three-quarters of a mile from the border. Agents reported that the migrants did not have gloves or proper clothing for the hazardous conditions. By this time, evening was approaching and temperatures were falling, officials said.

The agents identified the two migrants as 28-year-old Roberto Jimenez-Cardenas and 50-year-old Anita Jimenez-Velez — both Mexican nationals.

Border - Patrol - Agents - Woman - Gloves

One of the Border Patrol agents gave the woman his gloves. The agents provided the man chemical hand-warming packets.